SPRINGFIELD - One man was killed and nine others were stabbed or shot in what police described as "a very violent weekend."

Some victims sustained minor injuries but at least two of the stabbings left victims with serious injuries.

One man who was shot in the head during a robbery was lucky that the bullet only grazed his skull, said Capt. Robert T. McFarlin, head of the police criminal investigations bureau.

"We cannot connect any of the incidents, there was no pattern we can identify," McFarlin said today. "It has been a very violent weekend."

Police have already made three arrests in the incidents, including the murder, and have identified suspects in three others, he said.

The shootings and stabbings occurred across the city in neighborhoods such as Indian Orchard, the South End, the North End and downtown, he said.

The spate of violence began at about 1 a.m. Saturday and continued until 10 a.m. yesterday with the fatal stabbing that resulted when an argument that started on Saturday was rekindled in the parking lot of the victim's apartment.

Edward R. Caldwell, 40, of 36 Arthur Picard Circle died after being stabbed in the neck and chest with a knife, McFarlin said.

At about 6:45 p.m. today police arrested Muchael J. Ruiz, 22, of 37 Newhall St. on a court warrant charging him with murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. He had been hiding in a relative's home at 46 Kensington Ave., McFarlin said.

Caldwell, who was unemployed and also lived at 56 Montrose St., knew the suspect. The two had been arguing about a girl they both knew, he said.

"It was a spontaneous incident which escalated to a homicide," McFarlin said.

The other stabbings and shootings are:

- A city man was shot in the head at about 1:15 a.m. Saturday on Main Street near Jefferson Avenue. The bullet grazed the 38-year-old's skull and he was treated and released from Baystate Medical Center, McFarlin said.

Police believe the shooting was a botched robbery. The man was with his girlfriend, who was uninjured.

- A 23-year-old woman and a 22-year-old man were shot at about 2:30 a.m. Saturday when a man shot into the crowd standing in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant on Walnut Street, McFarlin said.

The man was shot in the stomach and calf and the woman was shot in the thigh. Both were brought to Baystate Medical Center with injuries that were not life-threatening.

Using witness descriptions, police have identified a suspect and are searching for him, McFarlin said.

- A man arguing with a 21-year-old West Springfield resident about a woman stabbed him in the arm at about 5:30 p.m. Saturday at 47 Beech St.

The victim did not have life-threatening injuries. Police identified a suspect and are hoping to make an arrest soon, McFarlin said.

- A 39-year-old city man was stabbed multiple times in the arm at about 9 p.m. Saturday on Saratoga Street. He was treated at Baystate Medical Center but the injuries were not life-threatening, McFarlin said.

Police are continuing to investigate the motive and have no suspects.

- A 29-year-old man was arrested at about 10:40 p.m. Saturday and charged with stabbing his roommate in their home at 405 Eastern Ave. Ronny Lopez was charged with armed assault with intent to murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

His 32-year-old roommate was stabbed in the neck and throat and received serious injuries. He is being treated at Baystate Medical Center, McFarlin said.

- A man was seriously injured after he was stabbed in the neck and throat. Police officers found the man at about 1:10 a.m. yesterday near 265 Dwight St., said Police Capt. Charles A. Arpin

The 20-year-old Springfield resident was badly hurt, possibly with the edge of a broken bottle, and unable to describe his attacker. He was taken to Baystate Medical Center and underwent emergency surgery, Arpin said.

- A 24-year-old man was arrested at about 1:25 a.m. today on charges that he shot a second man at Stearns Square within sight of police, Arpin said.

Patrolmen Eric Podgurski and Aiden Cruz, were on routine patrol on Worthington Street near Stearns Square when they saw a 22-year-old Springfield man shot in the arm, McFarlin said.

The two were joined by six other officers and a sergeant, who were working security at several area nightclubs who chased and apprehended the man. They also retrieved the 9 millimeter semi-automatic gun the suspect is believed to have thrown away while running.

Yuri Y. Rankin, 24, of 52 Biddle St., Springfield was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and with a number of firearms violations, Arpin said.

The victim was taken to Baystate Medical Center with injuries that are not serious, he said.

- A city teenager was shot in the mouth in a drive-by shooting at about 2:25 a.m. today near 728 Carew St. The 17-year-old was not seriously injured and Arpin said the weapon may have been a pellet gun.

Police are searching for a gray truck which was seen driving away at the time of the shooting, he said.